‘Festival of votes’ steals Bihu show in Assam

Bihu show in Assam

Guwahati, April 14: With poll fever gripping the state, Assam’s Bihu festival seems to have taken a backseat for the time being.

While political leaders are busy campaigning for votes for their respective parties, government employees are toiling hard to complete their poll-related tasks. “Election is a different kind of festival where we are travelling to different places, meeting people and pleading with them to vote for development. However, Bihu has a special place in our heart. We will definitely celebrate Bihu in a grand way after the election is over,” said Tapan Das, a young Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) leader.

For government employees, there is hardly any scope to think beyond EVMS, electoral lists and so on. “These days, it’s extremely hectic and we are doing our best to ensure a smooth Lok Sabha election. The responsibility is huge and we cannot think of anything else until polling comes to an end. I wish I could spend more time with my family during the festival,” said Padma Hazarika, a state government employee, who is posted at Tihu in Nalbari on election duty.

Bihu fairs and exhibitions organized across the city and in different parts of the state are registering poor footfall. “We are expecting more people at the fair in the next few days. So far the footfall has not been as encouraging as previous years,” said Nitali Sharma, an entrepreneur who has opened a stall in a city Bihu fair.

Some of the districts in the state, where elections are over, are gearing up to welcome the Assamese New Year with gaiety. Preparations are on in full swing for the smooth conduct of Bihu functions.

“The works are going in the full swing. We expect that the bigger crowd will visit our function like previous years,” said Rana Goswami, organizer of Latasil Bihu in the city. The Latasil Bihu in its 63rd year will be organized in a four-day event.